Java and The Burning House

Two years ago, a buddy asked for a picture of everything I’d take with me if my house were burning down. I laughed and said how soon do you need it because I already have a million of those shots and his name is Java.

But I played along, sort of: my green beret, my grandfather’s flag, blah blah blah. The picture turned out OK and I don’t love it because the stuff in the background can burn down with the house and no I’m not the flag burning kind of guy.

The irony, if that’s even the word, is that my life burned down a couple months ago and I didn’t get to take what mattered most. And damn if I didn’t try and welcome to the world and if you lose everything, at least you had everything to lose. Thanks for your outpouring of support among my ruins. I haven’t really answered any of your letters or comments or the messages you’ve sent by every means except maybe carrier pigeon. But I’ve gotten them all, I’ve read them all, and thank you. When someone’s life gets worse and you don’t know what to do, send them a letter or a picture or something. It’s hard but it’s nice to get.

The foreground is different than the background of our lives. The things that matter aren’t things at all and we love them more because they don’t last forever and neither do we.

And it’s that time of year for leftovers and eggnog and football games and it’s a great time of year and I’ll live it up if you will.

18 comments

This deserves to be etched in stone:
“The foreground is different than the background of our lives. The things that matter aren’t things at all and we love them more because they don’t last forever and neither do we.”

Jason
A mans dog is more than a companion he is a reflection of who one is and to lose someone so special is truly a heartbreaking thing to go through. I truly am sorry for the loss of your companion. Just know that he will forever be by your side until the day he is waiting for you in the Hall.
RIP JAVA

Heartbreaking and true.. The only ones we truly care about are often the ones more easily lost.
Unfortunately we tend to pay attention to material things rather than people or loved ones or experiences.

As said before Jason, you and Java built GORUCK and we jumped onboard because of what it is and what it means and what it stands for.. I love the Cadre, the Good Livin, my fellow GORUCKERS and also love my GORUCK gear and carry it with pride knowing who made it and why you started all this..take care and God bless brother..

Live this holiday season up as you said and remember that Java is still with you, just not physically. I say this to you not as 1 person to another but as a caregiver for a father who is Stage IV.

“The foreground is different than the background of our lives. The things that matter aren’t things at all and we love them more because they don’t last forever and neither do we.”

This should be a moto for your company as well as life. I hope everyone found this statement as profound as I did. I hope you all the cadre and all people on this site have a wonderful holiday season. Jason keep your head up and remember the great times you had with a wonderful friend and tip a beer to him.

i’ve been in the military for 30 years and i’m a career urban firefighter. I still cry when i think of my dogs and it’s been 5 years since they have gone. your new pal will change things, they’re like kids, they’re different, but you love em the same.